report from the canadian association of gastroenterology...

Can J Gastroenterol Vol 21 No 5 May 2007 321

To provide members with a view to the directions of theCanadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG)

Governing Board and its committees, we are pleased tointroduce a short, at-a-glance summary in the form of thepresent News Page. Decisions and key initiatives from boardmeetings – held twice annually, in late autumn and in Februaryat Canadian Digestive Diseases Week (CDDW) – will bepresented. Here is a look at some of the projects currentlyunderway:

CLINICAL AFFAIRSIncludes the Endoscopy, Hepatobiliary/Transplant, Liaison,Pediatrics, Practice Affairs and Regional Representationcommittees.

Endoscopy quality assurance initiativeAs reviewed in the April News Page, the Governing Board hasendorsed a pilot project on quality assurance in endoscopy,based on the United Kingdom program and the Global RatingScale (www.grs.nhs.uk/).

Credentialing papersSix manuscripts addressing credentialing related toesophagogastroduodenoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography andendoscopic ultrasound, along with an introductory paper ongeneral credentialing principles, are in the final stages and willbe submitted for publication this year.

Consensus guidelines, position statements and backgroundreviewsThree types of CAG publications have been agreed on anddefined as follows: consensus guidelines, position statements(CAG opinion pieces about specific topics; one to two pages inlength) and background reviews (reviews the relevantliterature which may or may not accompany a positionstatement; similar to technical reviews by the AmericanGastroenterological Association).

Proton pump inhibitors and fractures – position statementGiven questions from physicians and patients on the use ofproton pump inhibitors and increased risk of hip fractures, aposition statement by Drs Paul Moayyedi and Ann Cranney(Rheumatology & Geriatric Medicine, University of Ottawa[Ottawa, Ontario]) is being prepared.

Sedation (propofol) – position statementThe Governing Board and Clinical Affairs support a positionstatement on sedation, with particular focus on propofol,which is to be developed over the coming weeks.

Primary care physician triage formsThe Practice Affairs committee is currently creating standardforms to guide family practitioners in referring patients for gas-troenterology care.

EDUCATION AFFAIRSIncludes the Maintenance of Certification, Residents’Videoconference, the Gastroenterology Residents-in-Training(GRIT) course and the Scholars’ Program, Program Directorsand the Interactive Lecture Series committees.

Planning for CDDW 2008Although the 2007 CDDW/3rd Annual CASL WinterMeeting was only a few weeks ago, planning for the 2008 con-ference is already underway. The 2008 CAG/CASL implemen-tation committee will hold its first meeting in early May toreview feedback from 2007 and set the template for the 2008conference.

Annual Education Affairs meetingOver the past year, Clinical Affairs has trialed a face-to-facemeeting of its committee chairs, which has proved extremelysuccessful as shown by the list of accomplishments above.Following this model, Education Affairs will meet with itscommittees in the spring of 2007, to facilitate the many educa-tional initiatives underway.

Report from the Canadian Association of

Gastroenterology Governing Board

William G Paterson MD FRCPC

President, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario

CAG NEWS PAGE

En français voir page 323

INC. JANUARY 12, 1962

The CAG is proud to acknowledge its Benefactor Corporate Sponsors:

Abbott Laboratories Ltd Nycomed (formerly ALTANA Pharma) AstraZeneca Canada Inc Axcan Pharma Inc

Janssen-Ortho Inc Olympus Canada Inc Pfizer Canada Inc Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Schering Canada Inc

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RESEARCH AFFAIRSCAG research applications – changesFellowships: Research applications will only be consideredfrom trainees of supervisors who are regular CAG members orwho are approved for provisional CAG regular member status.Individuals applying for fellowship training to be held at anon-Canadian centre will require sponsorship from a regularCAG member.Grants: Research applications will only be considered fromregular CAG members or investigators who have beenapproved for provisional regular CAG member status.

Applications for regular membership must be submitted tothe CAG national office no later than July 1st for thosesubmitting a research application for the October 15thdeadline.

Increase in the value of the CAG summer studentships

The Governing Board has approved an increase in the value ofthe four CAG summer studentships, from $5,000 to $6,000each ($5,500 salary plus $500 grant), effective for the 2007competition. This maintains the competitiveness of our awardswith other grant bodies (eg, the Natural Sciences andEngineering Research Council of Canada).

ADMINISTRATIONNew Web site – coming soon!After the review of several proposals, a supplier has been hiredto redesign the CAG Web site. Work begins in the spring of2007, with the intent of launching the new Web site later inthe year. In addition to a fresh look and easy navigation, thesite will offer new functionality such as educational materialsand online dues payment.

Restructuring of the CAG Governing BoardRestructuring of the CAG to meet changing needs of themembership and to streamline operations has been discussed inthe January News Page and in February at the Annual GeneralMeeting in Banff, Alberta. We invite members to provide theirfeedback ([email protected]) to help direct the futurestructure of the Association.

Changes to disclosure guidelines for CAG members andspeakersGiven the increasingly stringent standards to ensure independ-ence in continuing medical education activities, the ethics com-mittee has updated the CAG disclosure form and is exploringpotential changes to CAG educational events and activities.

Can J Gastroenterol Vol 21 No 5 May 2007322

CAG News

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